This article was originally published on the blog for the Disability Ministries Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference
Introduction
Dear Friends,
In the Susquehanna Conference, Disability Awareness Sunday is recognized as the second Sunday in October. It’s a day when we recognize and honor the gifts and graces of people who are part of the disability community.
Disability Awareness Sunday is not just about acknowledging the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities but also about embracing their unique abilities, resilience, and the profound contributions they make to our congregation and the world. People with Disabilities are an important part of the family of God.
Anyone can develop a disability at any point in their life. However, no matter our age or ability level, we are all important to the Body of Christ.
As part of this meaningful day, the Disability Awareness Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference encourages local congregations to take a special collection to support the Disability Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church. Your generous donations will go towards providing grants to local churches, enabling them to become more accessible.
Donations can be made online at https://umcdmc.org/disability-ministries/donate/
Or through The Advance #3021054: through the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
Your gift, no matter the size, can help create a more welcoming and accessible United Methodist Church.
The following are some prayers that you are invited to use in your own worship services as we celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday together.
Call to Worship for Disability Awareness Sunday
Leader: People of God, Rejoice and give thanks, for God loves all of us!
Response: We give thanks that we are loved.
Leader: There is richness in our diversity.
Response: We all bring our unique gifts and graces to the Body of Christ. We are One Body with many unique parts. Amen.
Litany for Disability Awareness Sunday
Leader: O Holy One—You are the God of Abraham, and Jacob, and Rachel and Leah—who had weak eyes (Genesis 29:17), You are the God of Moses, who stuttered (Exodus 4:10), And the God of Israel, who walked with a limp after wrestling with his faith (Genesis 32:31). Response: You are the Lord of Bartimaeus, who was blind (Mark 10:46), You are the God of Zaccheus, who was short of stature (Luke19:10), And Paul, who struggled with a thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7), We rejoice, O Holy One, because you are also Our God and we are your children. You are the God of all people of all ability levels and all nations.Leader: You have always been God, since the very beginning, and you always will be God, until beyond the furthest reaches of eternity. Response: God, to see with our hearts. Preserve us from sin of spiritual blindness And may we not judge those who are physically blind. Forgive us when we have judged others because of their ability level or because they are different. Leader: O God, may we welcome people of all ages, races, genders, and ability levels into the body of Christ. May our church family be enriched by the gift of diversity. Response: May our church be a home where all God’s children are welcome, until Christ comes in final victory to make all things new. Amen.
Benediction for Disability Awareness Sunday
Siblings in Christ,
On Disability Awareness Sunday, we remember and acknowledge that any of us can become disabled at any time. Even the great and mighty Samson passed away without his eyesight.
No matter what our age, native language, gender, skin color, or ability level, we are all part of the Family of God. May we take comfort knowing that God loves ALL of God’s children, and that we all bring unique gifts to the body of Christ.
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, go forth and love others as Christ loves us. Amen.
Rev. Rebecca Writes 